Cheap vs Frugal

Have you ever wondered if you are frugal or cheap? I do. I always consider myself frugal, but some call me cheap — go figure!

so when John, Jaime and I were rommates back in the early 90s and we were super poor and had to eat spaghetti for dinner every night ( had to steal catchup for our "tomato" sandwiches.. ) we took pride in being cheap. we bragged about it all the time. "you spend that much money? - well I got mine for ... "

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So now twenty years later since we make a bit more money and can spend more money.. john and I still take pride in calling each other CHARMING. Since, John and I both a have degree in accounitng. (and I was a GREAT financial advisor) we want to make sure we spend money wisely vs being cheap. What is the difference between being cheap or being good with money? I did a quick search in google because it does absoultely fascaniates me.. and here is the best quiz I found.

IF you ever wondered.. take this quiz..
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Are You Frugal Or Cheap?

1. Do you eat out (not counting lunches at work)? All the time

2-3 times a week
2-3 times a month
Never

2. When you eat out, do you?

I order whatever I crave
Order an entree for each person and take leftover to go
Share our meals to save some money
I don’t eat out!

3. What do you drive?
The latest and greatest 2 years lease can buy
I buy new car every few years
I always buy used car
I don’t own a car

4. What kind of TV do you have?
1080 HDTV, of course!
A flat screen TV, but not the latest and greatest
I still have the one I bought 10 years ago
I don’t have a TV

5. What cable/satellite package do you have?
Premium channel with everything under the sun
Just the basic channels so I can watch the news
Whatever I get with the rabbit ears
I don’t have a TV

6. You have some old clothes, do you?
What are you talking about, I don’t have old clothes.
I donate them when they get a little older
I turn them into rags
I am still wearing them

7. When you buy something, do you?
I buy what I want, whenever I want
I occasionally splurge on what I want
I only buy what I need, clip coupons, use discount cards, etc.
I avoid making any kind of purchases

8. When you receive gifts, do you?
I take them back to the store to trade up
I keep all my gifts
I may return or re-gift some
I sell them on eBay for cash

9. When you buy clothes, do you?

I always shop brand names
I usually buy when they are on sale
I usually shop at goodwill and thrift stores
I ask my friends and family for hand me downs

10. Regarding your lunches, do you?

I always go out to the local restaurants
I mostly eat low cost take out lunches
I occasionally pack my own lunch
I always pack my own lunch

Rate Yourself
For each question, give yourself: 1 point for any #1 answer, 2 points for #2, 3 points for #3, and 4 points for #4. Add up the points and rate yourself:
35+ = You’re definitely cheap
25-34 = You’re frugal. Good job!
16-24 = You’re not frugal, but you appear to be reasonable with your spending habits
10-15 = There are a lot of opportunities for you to save money

I scored 20 points. Look like there are some opportunities for me to be a little more frugal.

What am I doing with my life?

I saw Julie/Julia last night and I loved it. SO good. So envious that few people have so much passaion in what they do. Although my blog and my friends give me a lot of happiness, at times I feel like I have NO idea what I am doing with my life. I want to have a more serious blog. I want to travel the world. I want to write a book on Healthy Eating Around the World. I want to tell everyone I love, I love them. I want to .. so much to do.. but yet.. A great amazing weekend.

Do I really want to go to work tomorrow? NO.. I want to goof off some more and do nothing.

So.. here is a snap shot of our fun evening at the restaurant across the street from West Portal Movie Theather ( name of it? have NO idea.. but colorful and food was amazing)